Prince of Wales has had negative impact on royals, 27% of people say in poll
A YouGov poll found that 36% of the British public think Charles has been beneficial to the monarchy, compared to 60% in 2013.
The number of people who believe the Prince of Wales has made a positive contribution to the Royal Family has fallen in the run-up to the 20th anniversary of Diana, Princess of Wales’s death.
A YouGov poll commissioned by the Press Association found that 36% of the British public think Charles has been beneficial to the monarchy, compared to 60% in 2013.
More than a quarter – 27% – think the longest-serving heir to the throne has had a negative impact on the royals, in contrast to just 15% four years ago.
The research also showed that only 14% of the British public want the Duchess of Cornwall to become Queen when Charles is King.
Most – 39% – think she should take the title of Princess Consort instead, while almost a third of Brits – 30% – believe she should not have any title at all.
Royal commentator Penny Junor suggested the public has still not forgiven the Prince for the breakdown of his marriage to Diana, and his standing had fallen because of the publicity surrounding the anniversary.
The Duke of Cambridge’s rating has soared, while that of his father has plummeted
She expressed surprise at the findings, saying: “We’ve moved on 20 years. Charles’s reputation, I thought, was completely rehabilitated.
“He’s become a much happier, more relaxed and more confident Prince of Wales and I thought much more popular as a result.”
The Press Association-commissioned poll follows surveys by national newspapers which also found unfavourable public opinions towards Charles and Camilla.
A Sunday Express poll, conducted by Norstat, found 67% of those questioned did not support the Duchess taking the title of Queen when her husband becomes King, while an ICM poll for the Sun revealed 51% wanted the Duke of Cambridge to be the next monarch, while only 22% surveyed said Charles.
Media attention surrounding Charles’s ex-wife Diana has mounted ahead of the milestone anniversary on August 31.
Channel 4 has screened controversial video footage of the late Princess, who was killed in a car crash in 1997, revealing how Diana alleged Charles spoke about wanting to have a mistress.
Harry and William took part in their own television tribute to Diana with ITV, but made no mention of their father.
The YouGov survey was conducted following the furore over the Channel 4 programme featuring Diana’s videos but before it was broadcast.
It shows that just 8% think Charles has made a very positive contribution to the monarchy, compared to 22% four years ago, and 28% believe he has made a fairly positive contribution, down from 38%.
But 9% thought his impact was very negative, up from 6%, and 18% fairly negative, up from 9%. Nearly a third – 30% – thought he had made neither a positive nor negative contribution.
William came out top for being seen as having a positive contribution to the royal family – in comparison to Charles, Camilla, the Duchess of Cambridge and Harry.
Ranked in order, 78% thought William had a positive impact, Harry 77%, Kate 73%, Charles 36% and Camilla 18%.
Among the younger age groups – the 18 to 24-year-olds – Kate’s positive approval rating was 53%, but with the over-65s, it was 81%.
William and Harry are also seen as beneficial to the royals by a large proportion of pensioners – with William considered to have made a positive impact by 83% and Harry 82%.
Only Harry – who left the Army to pursue his charitable causes – has increased his overall positive rating during the last four years, with the figure rising from 72% in 2013 to 77%.
What are your views?
The Press Association
Latest posts by The Press Association (see all)
- In Pictures: Party stalwart kept New Labour in touch with traditional supporters - November 21, 2024
- 6 easy indoor exercises to try this winter – and why they are good for you - November 19, 2024
- Martin Clunes: I can’t afford to retire – I’ve got too many horses - November 19, 2024
- How to avoid plant losses, flowering disappointments and container catastrophes - November 17, 2024
- John Lewis Christmas ad stars sister in last-minute dash back in time - November 14, 2024
